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Recruiting Roundup: Cowboys add four but lose Ronald Jones

OSU picked up three commitments this weekend but lost their biggest recruit in Ronald Jones.

By Schultzy
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

So this weekend has been a mixed bag for Cowboy football. The bad news first.

Ronald Jones, a RB from McKinney, Texas, was the highest rated recruit for Cowboys. However, it appears his official visit to Notre Dame this past weekend has made him reevaluate his options. Jones is one of the best running backs in the country and is a consensus 4 star prospect. This loss is going to hurt.

Brandon Pertile, a 3 star JUCO OL prospect, also seems to be on the verge of decommitting. Pertile took a visit to the University of Florida this past weekend, and they too seemed to make a big impression. Pertile is from Clearwater, Florida, which is just down the road from the University of Florida.

I'd expect him to pick Florida.

Now for the good news.

OSU added four commitments this week in Kenneth McGruder, Victor Salako, Bryce Balous and Matt Kellerman. All four of these guys were in Stillwater for official visits this past weekend.


Kenneth McGruder's name should sound familiar to Cowboys fans. He was an early commit in this class before reopening his recruitment late in November. The 6'2, 203 pound safety from Houston was widely believed to be considering Nebraska until Bo Pelini was fired. It's definitely a blessing for the Cowboys as the talented three star prospect recommitted after his official visit this past weekend.

Check out his highlights.

Perhaps the most important commitment this weekend was that of Victor Salako. The 6'6, 315 offensive linemen from UAB (RIP) will immediately step in and help improve one of the worst offensive lines in all of college football this year. Salako will be able to play right away and has two years of eligibility left. Salako started at left tackle for all 12 of UAB's games this season and 11 of 12 as a redshirt freshman.

Matt Kellerman is a 6'5, 285 OL from Butler Community College. With his commitment, OSU currently has 7 new OL guys coming into Stillwater next year. Connelly has been earning that paycheck, and it's obviously a major focus of this class.

Oklahoma State is adding one of the more technically sound offensive tackles at the junior college levels. He doesn't have the amazing strength, the amazing athleticism, or the amazing length that some of the other top offensive tackles possess, but he brings a different dimension to the position.

He's strong enough, athletic enough, and long enough while also passing up the others in the technical aspect of the game when it comes to body position, footwork, hand usage, and awareness.

Kellerman had offers from Lousiville, Colorado State, Iowa State, and Illinois. Here's a good writeup detailing his commitment. Link.

Bryce Balous is a 5'11, 185 safety prospect from McKinney, Texas. Balous was committed to Kansas State, but decided that OSU would be a better fit this past week. Balous is fast...like really, really fast. He's been timed at 4.39 in the 40, and he's a vicious hitter. Tim Duffie, the safeties coach, recruited him, but I have to wonder if a switch to CB may be in order based on his size and speed. Something to keep in mind for the future. Got to love Kolar recruiting for OSU, too.

Look at this speed.

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